Chicago Blackhawks’ Prospects Proving Defense Wins Championships

Interview with Blake Hillman

What was your experience like at Blackhawks prospect camp this summer?

BH: It was a little bit different this year in the sense that Mitchy (Ian Mitchell) was there, and I also had to be more of a leader. Last year was my first year there, so I was a bit nervous, tentative and I tried to follow other players to see what they did. But this year I stayed with (Mitchell), answered his questions and tried to be more of a leader.

Who were the players that impressed you the most at prospect camp?

BH: The forward I was most impressed with was Dylan Sikura. He was lights out in camp and everybody was talking about him. It was pretty obvious he was out there making plays, dangling and doing everything right.

Defensively, it was Luc Snuggerud. He played at Omaha and I’ve played against him all of my life growing up in Minnesota. I’ve known him for a while now and I’ve seen him progress over the years into a really good player. I’ve always looked up to him as a good player from Minnesota that I could watch and learn from what he does out there.

This year the Blackhawks prospect camp was more focused on player fundamentals. What were your thoughts on the new structure?

BH: Yeah, I really did enjoy it because there was a lot more teaching involved whereas in games you just got out there and played your own style. This year having practices every day, we got a lot more one-on-one time with the coaches and got a better idea of what they expect out of us as far as the ‘Hawks’ system. It was good in that sense and also how the coaches told us what we need to improve on going back to college.

Would you say the ‘Hawks play a similar system as the Pioneers at Denver University?

BH: Oh, yeah. They’re an up-pace team that likes to move the puck up to the forwards, and they have really active defensemen. We actually have a couple plays named after the ‘Hawks. There are definitely some connections there. I try to model my game to their style, and Monty (coach Jim Montgomery) has helped me a lot with that in my two and a half years here.

Were you surprised Montgomery came back to Denver to coach this season given he had a couple offers from NHL teams?

BH: I wasn’t surprised. I knew he was here for the long run. If we win another (championship), then maybe. I think he’s pretty content and happy here. I think he likes coaching our age group because of the development process, whereas in the NHL everyone’s basically where they’re going to be unless you get really young kids. I was a little nervous, but I wasn’t surprised that he stayed.

What are your goals for this season?

BH: My goals this year are to be a steady defenseman, take care of the defensive zone first and be able to worry about offense second. I think last year I kind of got ahead of myself thinking that I was going to have a 10-goal year, or a 30-point year, but I set my goals a little too high. I was let down by that throughout the first half of the season, and then I had a meeting with Coach Monty.

He really helped me understand that I need to play defense first. After that, I started to get more offensive chances. I’ve definitely worked on things this summer that will help me succeed in having a more offensive this year, but I’m more focused on keeping the puck out of our net.

This year the Frozen Four is being played in your home state of Minnesota. How special would it be to play in front of your friends and family?

BH: My parents are already telling me, “You guys have to make it! You made it to Tampa, Chicago, now Minnesota!” It would be amazing. When we made it to Tampa my freshman year, we played regionals at the Xcel Energy Center and I had a lot of family there.

I’m sure there would be two to three times the amount of family that would come support me, and I would have a lot of friends that would like to come so it would be really special. But you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself yet. We haven’t even played a game yet, but it would be really special.

Interview with Ian Mitchell

What was your experience like at Blackhawks prospect camp this summer?

IM: It was great. It was cool to go up against some guys that I’ll be competing with down the road. It’s been a dream of mine to go to an NHL camp, and I thought I did well. I was really excited to go there and showcase myself.

Who were the players that impressed you the most at prospect camp?

IM: Henri Jokiharju is a really good player. He and I are probably similar in the way we play. I was really impressed with his game and it’s obvious they took him in the first round for a reason. Then there was Dylan Sikura, who I thought was the best player at camp. He was unbelievable.

This year the Blackhawks prospect camp was more focused on player fundamentals. What were your thoughts on the new structure?

IM: Honestly, I think I liked that format a little bit better than just scrimmaging because sometimes the pace isn’t always high. But if you’re practicing and working on skills, I’d say that’s more important in a development camp. I really liked the format and I hope they’re going to stick with it.

Da Windy City

You and Blake Hillman were paired together a lot at prospect camp over the summer. Do you think that’s a possibility here at DU?

IM: Yeah, for sure. You’ll have to ask Monty about that one, but it’s definitely a possibility. Hillman’s a left-hand shot and an upperclassman, while I’m a right-hand shot and a lowerclassman, so it seems to be a fit right off the bat. We’ll see if it ends up happening.

Blake mentioned you were roommates while at prospect camp in Chicago. Do you see him as a mentor?

IM: Yeah, absolutely. It works out really well that he’s had a couple years with the Blackhawks and a couple years at DU, so I’m always asking him questions and for his perspective on things so I can better understand situations.

What are your goals for this season?

IM: I want to be a part of another championship team. We have the team here to do it, so I’m just trying to do my part and be whatever role Monty wants me to be. I want to play as much as I can, and having a good start to the year will be huge for me to gain his trust as well as the other guys’ trust in the dressing room. I want them to trust me out there and think, “If we give the puck to Ian, he’ll be able to make a good play.” That’s kind of what I’m looking to do for the year.

I noticed you communicated a lot at prospect camp, things like calling out plays. Would you consider that your style as being a leader in situations like the powerplay, being a quarterback as such?

IM: Yeah, absolutely. I think that when I’m communicating and being vocal out there, I feel like I play a lot better. Not only does it help me, but it helps everybody else out there if someone’s talking and directing the play. I’ve always tried to be a leader on the ice and that’s just how I do it.

Blake mentioned that coach Montgomery likes his defensemen to focus on defense first, which will ultimately turn into offense. Is this a style you will have to adapt to?

IM: Yeah, I’m always working on my defensive game, so coming here is going to help me a lot in that aspect. I think that style is something I’m definitely willing to adopt. Anything Monty asks me to do, of course I’m going to try my best to do it.

What’s it like being away at college?

IM: It’s definitely a lot different. I’m a kid that likes to be at home, and it was tough leaving because I’ve lived there my whole life. I didn’t have to move away for juniors which was nice, but it’s also really cool being submerged in this group of guys like a family. It’s really cool, and I’m looking forward to this year. It should be awesome.

Next: Blackhawks Roster Projection Halfway Through Camp

Is there anybody you’re looking forward to playing against in college hockey?

IM: Yeah. Brandon Biro, Tyler Bush and Riley Simpson. Those are guys that I played juniors with. Brandon is with Penn State and Tyler and Riley are with Arizona State University. I don’t know when we’ll get that opportunity, but when it comes around I’m definitely looking forward to going up against them.